Can I File an Injury Suit For an E-Cigarette Explosion?

Posted By Twiggs, Strickland & Rabenau || 11-Feb-2016

According to Forbes, sales of traditional cigarettes have averaged a 3-6%
decline since 2009. Electronic cigarette sales, meanwhile, have been doubling
year over year since their introduction in 2007, and are projected to
near 2.5 billion dollars in 2016.

Inexpensive manufacturing has helped contribute to this boom in popularity,
but is also causing a different type of boom – violent, fiery explosions
that have already left a number of people with serious, and in some cases
fatal injuries. If you or a loved one has
suffered injury due to an exploding or defective e-cigarette, call our North Carolina
injury attorneys today to pursue justice.

Why Do E-Cigarettes Explode?

To date, the most authoritative source on e-cigarette explosions is an
October, 2014 FEMA report, which looked at 25 reported incidents. The vast majority of these fires
and explosions were traced back to a lithium-ion battery, typically overcharged
through use of an incompatible charger. The “rechargeable vape pen”
style of e-cigarette was responsible for the bulk of these incidents.

Do I Have A Strong Case?

If you’ve been injured in an e-cigarette explosion or fire, you may
have grounds for a
product liability claim. The important thing to consider is whether the incident was caused
by misuse of the product, of if it was the result of one of the following:

Defective manufacturing – if the manufacturer used a faulty batch of batteries, or failed to install
necessary insulation, you may have grounds for a case.

Defective design – you can hold the manufacturer responsible if their design is inherently
dangerous, such as a firing button that has a tendency to get stuck.

Inadequate warnings or instructions – many of these devices are cheaply produced, imported goods – if there
is not a clear warning of danger in using a different charger, you may
have a claim.

At Twiggs, Strickland & Rabenau, our North Carolina product liability
attorneys have extensive experience with these complex claims. If you
or a loved one has been hurt, we can aggressively pursue the fair compensation
you need and deserve. Don’t hesitate to pursue your claim –
call (919) 701-8132 today to learn how we can help.